PITTSBURGH—Judith Klein-Seetharaman,a research scientist in Carnegie Mellon University's LanguageTechnologies Institute, has received a $100,000 grant from the Bill& Melinda Gates Foundation to use computational tools in the searchfor new anti-HIV therapies.

Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute is celebrating University Professor William L. "Red" Whittaker's 60th birthday and the 25th anniversary of Field Robotics, a discipline he founded, with a two-day event Oct. 24-25. Whittaker who is also the Fredkin professor of robotics, established the area of research that focuses on creation and deployment of robots in the natural world. He will deliver a public lecture titled "Robots at Work" at 3:30 pm, Oct. 24, in 7500 Wean Hall.

The November issue of Popular Science magazine, on newsstands October 14, features PopSci's seventh annual "Brilliant 10," a list of the country's top young scientists to watch. "The Brilliant 10 are the brightest researchers of 2008, making the breakthroughs of tomorrow," says Mark Jannot, editor in chief of Popular Science. "PopSci is paying homage to these young scientists, who explore the world with an altogether original eye."

NASA Rover Was Developed by Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute PITTSBURGH—Thecool, rocky slopes of Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano that is Hawaii'shighest mountain, will serve as a stand-in for the moon as researchersfrom Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute, NASA and otherorganizations test a robot designed for lunar prospecting.

Pradeep Sindhu, who founded Juniper Networks after earning hismaster's and doctorate degrees in computer science at Carnegie Mellon,is one of 19 alumni and honorary alumni who will be recognized with2008 Alumni Awards. Three invaluable supporters of CarnegieMellon's Tartan Racing team— Chip Ganassi and Joseph C. and MollyWalton— will be named honorary alumni at the ceremony in Rangos Hallin the University Center, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 24.

PITTSBURGH—Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) Press debuts the publication of "Beyond Fun: Serious Games and Media" this month. The book features the work of more than 15 international contributors examining how games and media can impact learning.

One of the final steel beams will be put in place on the new Schoolof Computer Science Complex during a topping-off ceremony on Monday,but not before everyone is given a chance to sign his or her name on it.The beam is available for all students, faculty and staff to sign from9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. The beam will be located in acorner of the construction site, just behind the Purnell Center loadingdock and Cyert Hall. The best way to get to reach it is to go throughthe Warner Hall parking lot.

EVENT: — Join Business Week Magazine senior writer Steve Baker for breakfast and a book signing while he discusses "The Numerati," his new book published this month by Houghton-Mifflin Co. In it, Baker describes how computer scientists and applied math experts he calls "numerati" are tracking the digital trails we leave as we work, shop, play, vote, and live. They gather up the reams of data created by using our computers, cell phones, and credit cards and by analyzing the information, they're able to build models of us and predict our behavior.